IN the latest book by well respected railway writer Colin Maggs his 'The Branch Lines of Devon; Plymouth, West and North Devon' will no doubt stoke up interest with many a rail enthusiast.

Among the branch lines of particular interest to Times readers are those on Tavistock Junction to Launceston; Yelverton to Princetown; St Budeaux (Plymouth) to Calstock; Meldon Junction to Halwill Junction and Whitstone and Bridgerule; Halwill Junction to Launceston; Barnstaple to Halwill Junction and Coleford to Meldon Quarry.

Many of the branches have interesting histories. The Princetown branch was famous for being the highest station in England.

The Torrington to Halwill Junction line began life as the three foot gauge Marland Light Railway whose main purpose was to carry clay. In 1925, the line was rebuilt as a standard-gauge line and extended to become the North Devon and Cornwall Light Railway, the last major railway construction in the West of England.

In this absorbing, entertaining and well-researched book the author provides a marvellously wide-ranging view of over 170 years of rail travel.

Profusely illustrated with over 200 fascinating photographs, maps and ephemera, this book will appeal not only to railway enthusiasts, but to local historians as well.

The Tavistock and South Devon Railway Act was passed on 14 July, 1854.

The contractors, Messrs Ritson and Blinkhorn, began work on the Tavistock Junction to Launceston line on 24 September 1856 and passenger traffic commenced to Tavistock on 22 June, 1859, when two special trains covered the 16 miles non-stop in 37 minutes.

Not bad time — quite incredible when one thinks that more than 150 years later it would be hard to get there much faster!

The paperback 'The Branch Lines of Devon; Plymouth, West and North Devon' is priced at £16.99 and published by Amberley.

ISBN 978184868 3518.

JOHN HUTCHINS